North Ft. Myers woman bites attacker

A North Fort Myers woman is recovering after a brazen attack in her own front yard. The woman took a bite out of her attacker, who is still on the loose. We found out how you should act if you are ever in a similar situation.

Even while pumping gas, Veronica McClellan says she is always on alert.

"I'm very cautious. I look everywhere before I come out and I always make sure I have my cell phone with me," she said.

And if an attacker did catch her off guard, she says they better be ready for a fight.

"Bite, scratch, kick, scream as loud as I could anything to get away," she said.

Actions like those are what authorities say saved one North Fort Myers woman's life after she was attacked while bringing in her trash bins.

According to the report, a man approached the woman and "put one of his hands around her mouth and was touching her breasts."

But the woman didn't go very easily. The report states, "she was able to bite his hand hard enough for him to let her go."

Luckily, she escaped unharmed and deputies say fighting and staying attentive is the best way for you to handle a similar situation.

"She was aware of her surroundings she was able to get a description of the suspect and the vehicle it was excellent," said Sergeant David Velez, with the Lee County Sheriff's Office.

The description she gave is of a white man, about 30-years-old, with dirty blonde hair and heavy facial hair.

This latest attack now has some women taking care.

"I look around - especially since that young man went on that crime spree," said one women we spoke with Thursday.

The man she was referring to is Antonio Thomas, who terrorized and sexually assaulted five women over nine days.

He killed one Cape Coral woman before his arrest in June. Some are concerned this could now be the beginning of another streak.

"Knowing that someone would be around watching us, it's very scary," said McClellan.